THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VISITS TO PROTECTED AREAS TO SCHOOL EDUCATION

Studies show the importance of school visits in protected areas and some of their weaknesses. However, there is a need to better understand the educational role of these moments. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the contributions of these visits to school education, considering the conceptions and practices of those involved in the visitation. In this study, observations of visits were made as well as interviews with representatives from the areas and teaching of the visiting schools. Considering the role of the school, the visits observed and the conceptions of the visiting teachers and representatives of protected areas, it has been concluded that the monitored school visits contribute to the school education through the opportunity of the visit (as part of citizen training), the experience provided to the students in the natural environment and the contribution to the teaching work in a practical activity.